crash repair garage
Discussion
Hi,
I recently had a fantastic 4 days in the T350, covered 600 odd faultless miles and she behaved immaculately throughout. More than I can say for one particular driver that decided to run in to the back of me while I was stopped in traffic only 2 miles from my house. Ignoring the rage and emotional damage caused, the actual car damage is minor but prominent so I'm going down the insurance claim route. As part of the process I have had a damage assessor look at the car and compile his report. As he was finishing his inspection he suggested a repair garage local to me, which is where I come to my slight conundrum. The assessor suggested I use these people for the repair (they are very local to me):
http://www.specialisedpaintwork.com/
Now, these chaps to look very experienced in repair and paint work but are not known and don't show any experience with TVR's (Lotus, Morgan etc they are specialist in). So, do I use these guys, or do I go down the more normal Str8six (and thus Surface & Design) path. The assessor was very strongly (and thus the insurance team are now) recommending I use them and were significantly discouraging me from using Str8six. To the point where he said he knew of Str8six and would not recommend them but could not prevent me from selecting them
How does this typically go if you don't use the recommended repairer (they all say it is my choice), is there a chance that they will not cover the full cost of using a.n.other repairer?
Does anyone have any experience of the Specialised Paintworks team?
Thanks for advice,
J.
I recently had a fantastic 4 days in the T350, covered 600 odd faultless miles and she behaved immaculately throughout. More than I can say for one particular driver that decided to run in to the back of me while I was stopped in traffic only 2 miles from my house. Ignoring the rage and emotional damage caused, the actual car damage is minor but prominent so I'm going down the insurance claim route. As part of the process I have had a damage assessor look at the car and compile his report. As he was finishing his inspection he suggested a repair garage local to me, which is where I come to my slight conundrum. The assessor suggested I use these people for the repair (they are very local to me):
http://www.specialisedpaintwork.com/
Now, these chaps to look very experienced in repair and paint work but are not known and don't show any experience with TVR's (Lotus, Morgan etc they are specialist in). So, do I use these guys, or do I go down the more normal Str8six (and thus Surface & Design) path. The assessor was very strongly (and thus the insurance team are now) recommending I use them and were significantly discouraging me from using Str8six. To the point where he said he knew of Str8six and would not recommend them but could not prevent me from selecting them
How does this typically go if you don't use the recommended repairer (they all say it is my choice), is there a chance that they will not cover the full cost of using a.n.other repairer?
Does anyone have any experience of the Specialised Paintworks team?
Thanks for advice,
J.
The problem with not using the insurers preferred one is things like not getting a loan car and then the ins co not taking any responsibility should the repair not be up to scratch.
Personally I would find a decent TVR specialist and use them. The insurance co just wants to use their own place as they beleive it saves them money (and believe me it doesnt). I dont know the (body) work of STR8SIX but they are well thought of. The problem with others recommendations is that whilst one person might think a paint job is great I find that most people seem to think highly of work that others think is below par.
Personally I would use the likes of Raceproved (Brendan is great with paint!) and then also get them to fix any other blemishes whilst they are at it.
Personally I would find a decent TVR specialist and use them. The insurance co just wants to use their own place as they beleive it saves them money (and believe me it doesnt). I dont know the (body) work of STR8SIX but they are well thought of. The problem with others recommendations is that whilst one person might think a paint job is great I find that most people seem to think highly of work that others think is below par.
Personally I would use the likes of Raceproved (Brendan is great with paint!) and then also get them to fix any other blemishes whilst they are at it.
You ultimately have choice of repairer - the insurance cannot force you to use anyone. I've always used Chris Gregory of http://www.autorefinishing.co.uk/ (Harrogate, Yorks) and he is very good. He is a TVR owner himself, and specialises in fibregalss and carbon fibre, and seems to always be full of exotica like Lambo's, Fezzas, TVRs etc. Very highly regarded in Yorkshire. (I live in Berks like yourself)
I don't like the sound of this. They shouldn't be vehemently steering you to any ONE particular repairer. It sounds like they get some sort of "kick back" for every job that gets "sent" that repairers way. Go with a recognised, reputable GRP specialist with a track record. It's all in the preparation, as they say, and I wouldn't want anybody but a full-time GRP repairer touching mine.
Thanks for all your thoughts.
I guess I edging toward Str8six because after talking to them they will simply ship it up to Blackpool and get it done at surface and design.
I will give the Power body shop a call, but in all cases here it seems most people agree that I should be using a TVR specialist rather than the other chaps?
Thx,
j.
I guess I edging toward Str8six because after talking to them they will simply ship it up to Blackpool and get it done at surface and design.
I will give the Power body shop a call, but in all cases here it seems most people agree that I should be using a TVR specialist rather than the other chaps?
Thx,
j.
jonesy said:
I will give the Power body shop a call, but in all cases here it seems most people agree that I should be using a TVR specialist rather than the other chaps?
Thx,
j.
Absolutely. Iam sure there are excellent bodyshops in Glasgow/Scotland but couldn't find one that was used to dealing with TVR's and spectraflair paint. So the safest option was to take it down south to one of the highly regarded specialists that have be mentioned. Thx,
j.
Jason/STR8 Six do indeed use the Blackpool guys - Surface & Design.
However, if the bodyshop does work on Lotus, then they should be experienced with GRP repair and painting.
I suppose my only reservation would be if the car was in a TVR specific colour, when an exact match might be tricky. Having said that, I know of a local Cerbera that was painted by a sprayshop in Southampton who did a superb job (headlight conversion as well). The sprayer had lots of help from the guys at S&D to get the exact match - and the advice was freely given.
Nick
However, if the bodyshop does work on Lotus, then they should be experienced with GRP repair and painting.
I suppose my only reservation would be if the car was in a TVR specific colour, when an exact match might be tricky. Having said that, I know of a local Cerbera that was painted by a sprayshop in Southampton who did a superb job (headlight conversion as well). The sprayer had lots of help from the guys at S&D to get the exact match - and the advice was freely given.
Nick
Just got back from the TVR Power bodyshop in Stourbridge.
Very helpful chaps, and some nicely prepared cars ( such as this orange Cerbera) as well as crash repairs being done.
Next time I will remember to approach their site from the side road, not the main road. Haven't seen a road like that for a while.
Very helpful chaps, and some nicely prepared cars ( such as this orange Cerbera) as well as crash repairs being done.
Next time I will remember to approach their site from the side road, not the main road. Haven't seen a road like that for a while.
jonesy said:
Thanks for all your thoughts.
I guess I edging toward Str8six because after talking to them they will simply ship it up to Blackpool and get it done at surface and design.
I will give the Power body shop a call, but in all cases here it seems most people agree that I should be using a TVR specialist rather than the other chaps?
Thx,
j.
Just had a conversation with Jason at Str8Six and told him you wanted a colour change to Blue......I guess I edging toward Str8six because after talking to them they will simply ship it up to Blackpool and get it done at surface and design.
I will give the Power body shop a call, but in all cases here it seems most people agree that I should be using a TVR specialist rather than the other chaps?
Thx,
j.
t, did I just say that out loud)Sevenman said:
Just got back from the TVR Power bodyshop in Stourbridge.
Very helpful chaps, and some nicely prepared cars ( such as this orange Cerbera) as well as crash repairs being done.
Next time I will remember to approach their site from the side road, not the main road. Haven't seen a road like that for a while.
Don't suppose you saw my spectraflair silver T350 while you were there. They have two in at the moment mine is the one with the anthracite wheelsVery helpful chaps, and some nicely prepared cars ( such as this orange Cerbera) as well as crash repairs being done.
Next time I will remember to approach their site from the side road, not the main road. Haven't seen a road like that for a while.
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